Russia 'ready for new Cold War' over Georgia

Russia has said it is prepared for a new Cold War, after President Dmitry Medvedev defied the West by formally declaring the independence of two Georgian rebel regions.

He accused the West of being provocative in its response to the war in the Caucasus has raised tensions in the region by recognising the independence of South Ossetia and AbkhaziaPhoto: AP

By Adrian Blomfield in Tbilisi and Damien McElroy

8:03AM BST 27 Aug 2008

Shredding any hope that his offensive in Georgia could be rolled back under an internationally agreed ceasefire, Mr Medvedev unilaterally redrew the map of the region by recognising the secession of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after meeting Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Mr Medvedev also gave warning Russia would go to any lengths to defend the enclaves. "We're not afraid of anything [including] the prospect of a Cold War," he said. "Russia is a state which has to ensure its interests along the whole length of its border. This is absolutely clear."

Speaking later about the deployment of a US anti-missile system close to Russian borders, Mr Medvedev said Moscow "will have to react somehow, to react, of course, in a military way."

The moves brought hostile condemnation from across the West. The US President George W. Bush warned Moscow to "reconsider this irresponsible decision, adding "Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations."

A White House spokesman added that the US was "looking at a variety of options with regard to consequences for Russia's aggression in Georgia" and that Dick Cheney, the vice-president will visit Georgia next week in another show of solidarity.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, who is to make a speech in Ukraine strongly condemning Moscow's recent actions, said its recognition of the two regions was "unjustifiable and unacceptable".

Mr Miliband urged the "widest possible" international coalition against Russia's actions in Georgia. "Today's announcement further inflames an already tense situation in the region," he said.

He urged Moscow to abide by the French-brokered peace deal that halted the short, brutal war commenced when Russia sent troops deep into Georgian territory earlier this month to crush Tblisi's efforts to retake the separatist enclaves. The peace deal specified that Russia must return its troops to the positions they held at the war's outset on Aug 7.

"We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow," said Mr Miliband. "We again call on Russia to abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis; and to implement urgently and in full Russia's commitments to withdraw forces."

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, also condemned Russia's decision as "absolutely not acceptable," but urged European allies to keep open channels of communication with Moscow.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told French television: "We fear a war and we don't want one, if its hot, we don't want it'."

The spectre of continent-wide conflict was raised by Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's envoy to Nato, who compared the situation to the eve of the First World War.

"The current atmosphere reminds me of the situation in Europe in 1914 - when because of one terrorist, leading world powers clashed," Mr Rogozin said. "I hope Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian President, will not go down in history as a new Gavrilo Princip."

France, which currently holds the EU presidency, has called an emergency meeting of EU leaders on Monday to review the relationship between Russia and Europe.

The US State Department and Nato issued blunt statements describing Russia's announcement as "unacceptable."

However, Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, expressed his alarm over the West's stance. "The risk of a new schism has arisen," he said. "There is a growing threat of global chaos."

In a newspaper article, Mr Medvedev attempted to justify Moscow's actions throughout the crisis. "Russia had no option but to crush the attack," he wrote, adding that "only a madman would have taken such a risk" as did Mr Saakashvili.

Earlier Mr Medvedev said: "Saakashvili chose genocide to solve his political tasks. The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have more than once spoken in referenda supporting the independence of their republics. We understand that after what had happened ... they have the right to decide their fate themselves."

Mr Saakashvili accused the Kremlin of annexing a large slice of his country's territory, as Georgia convened an emergency meeting of its national security council. The Russian declaration was "illegal" and "an attempt to change Europe's borders by force," he said in an address to the nation.

The Kremlin appeared confident of riding out the storm. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, dismissed suggestions that his country could be frozen out of international institutions.

"I don't think we should really be afraid of isolation," he said. "I don't think isolation is looming. I don't believe this should really be a doomsday scenario. I believe common sense should prevail."

Even before Mr Medvedev's announcement, President Saakashvili warned that the West needed to impose serious penalties on Russia if it hoped to restrain Mr Putin, who is firmly in command despite the presidency passing to Mr Medvedev.

"Some people in the West have been in denial for a long time," said Mr Saakashvili in an interview with western newspapers including The Daily Telegraph. "Now there can be no more denial. The West has to show that this will cost them - really cost them. You are dealing with bullies here and bullies do not understand the tender message."

The Georgian leader had already warned that Russia was extending its grip on his country by seizing a strategic ridge that brings the capital, Tbilisi, within artillery range. He warned that Georgia would respond with force if Tbilisi was attacked.

"They are trying to take the heights of Akhalgori," he said. "This is the most worrying thing at the moment. They would be within 20km (12 miles) of Tbilisi. We are in a very precarious situation."

Despite intensive diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, its direction was still being underpinned by military manoeuvres. The former Soviet wresting champion turned South Ossetian separatist leader, Eduard Kokoity, reacted to Mr Medvedev's announcement by calling on Russia to establish a permanent military base inside his enclave.

The Russian Navy moved the flagship of its Black Sea fleet, the Muscova, out of the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol in an apparent response to America's deployment of a destroyer off Georgia's occupied port of Poti. There were mixed reports on the movements of the USS McFaul and its exact position is unclear.

Russian troops have encroached on Poti, digging in for control of key roads and railheads.

A Nato meeting in London next month will be seen as a crucial test of the West's resolve to confront Russia's drive to extend its influence in former Soviet Republics.